crepe myrtles

Crepe myrtles are among trees with the highest wind resistance (“Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes”). Here is a good article from Southern Living on how to prune a crape myrtle. Best time to prune is when it’s bare, in late winter. “Once crepe myrtles have bloomed and shed their first flowers, they will…

spiral ginger

Despite the name, spiral ginger is not a ginger, but it’s related. By Franz Xaver – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link Alternate names insulin plant Latin name Costus pulverulentus Family Costaceae Related species Gingers Cultivars Characteristics evergreen ornamental cold tolerant freeze tolerant part shade to shade tropical low maintenance edible flowers medicinal Description Leaves…

beautyberry

You’ve seen beautyberry if you’ve taken a summer walk in any of the parks around Pinellas or Hillsborough counties that have wild plants, or botanical gardens showcasing native plants: a shrub with fuzzy, light green leaves and clusters of bright magenta berries like living jewels. If you rub the crushed leaves on your skin, it’ll…

culantro

This attractive dark green biennial herb grown throughout the Caribbean and Central America is a key ingredient in Puerto Rican cooking as well as dishes of other nationalities. It belongs to the same plant family as cilantro and smells similar but has long bladed leaves and a sharper taste. I will use this pretty herb a…